close
close

NBA League Pass Game of the Day: Grizzlies at Jazz (9 ET)

Five things you need to know before Grizzlies star Ja Morant makes his highly anticipated return against Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz on NBA League Pass (9 ET).

  • Yes effect: Before his 2023-24 season was cut short on Jan. 5 due to a shoulder injury, Morant averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists and 5.6 boards in nine games for the Grizzlies, who were 21 with their star guard in the lineup took a 6-3 lead -52 without him.
  • Hungry Grizz: With an overall record of 27-55, the Grizzlies missed the playoffs last season for the first time in three years, but will try to re-establish itself as a contender in the Westwhere they were number 2 in 2023.
  • Young cub: In five preseason games, Zach Edey, Memphis' No. 9 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, ranked third on the team in total points (61) and first in rebounds (36) and blocks (5). In the 2024 NBA GM PollThe 7-foot-4 center received the second-most votes for Kia Rookie of the Year (30%).
  • Jazz Jump? After four preseason wins, Utah – which signed Markkanen to a long-term contract this summer – will look to improve on its 31 wins in the 2023-24 season.

Utah muscle: Last season, the Jazz led the league in second-chance points per game (16.5) and were tied for third in rebounding with 45.5 boards per game.